Women: an Untapped Resource in Manufacturing

“In addition to bridging the skills gap, hiring and advancing women is smart business. As consumers and influencers, their experiences and insights could contribute significantly to the industry’s competitiveness," a report by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute said.

The skilled workforce shortage is nothing new to those in manufacturing.

However, one obvious solution has been seeminly ignored by those affected by the problem, researchers say.

Women.

In a recent report by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute called “Untapped resource: How manufacturers can attract, retain and advance talented women,” they identify women as a potential source for funneling new bodies into the manufacturing worker pipeline.

Women, who make up roughly half of the U.S. labor force, only represent 25% of the durable goods manufacturing employment base, according to Catalyst Research. That means there’s a pool of untapped talent with XX chromosomes.

“In addition to bridging the skills gap, hiring and advancing women is smart business,” the report says. “As consumers and influencers, their experiences and insights could contribute significantly to the industry’s competitiveness.”

Women in Manufacturing

The No. 1 reason women remain underrepresented in industry is the perception of gender bias, the report says. Of the more than 600 women working in manufacturing surveyed for the report, 51% said there is a perception of a male-favored culture.

“Manufacturers must have women to attract women, and must have women in executive roles to retain the women in their companies,” one participant said.

Of those women with manufacturing careers, 75% find it an interesting and rewarding line of work and would take a job in manufacturing if they were to start just now starting their careers, the report said.